Visitors to Confucius tourist attractions need be aware of a smoking ban coming into effect on Saturday.

Three venues - the Temple, the Family Mansion and the Cemetery of Confucius (551-479 BC), have banned smoking.

The new ban is also applied to the gate towers, ancient trees, ticket offices and some enclosed areas, said the administration of cultural heritage in Qufu City, where the three venues are located.

Born in what is today Qufu, of Shandong Province, Confucius founded the school of thought that became known as Confucianism. He is believed to be the first person to have set up private schools in China.

UNESCO World Heritage sites, the three spots host around four million visitors each year.

Ancient Chinese architects used a lot of wood instead of stone to build houses, temples and gardens, so these buildings are fire risks.

The three tourist attractions are also home to 10,270 ancients trees.

China is yet to have national legislation on smoking in public places, but to date 16 cities have bylaws on tobacco control.

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